Today I laughed until I cried at work over the ridiculousness of the past week. Without giving incriminating details, I will try to share the mirth:
Tuesday was rough-- The crazy bookkeeper was in, not answering my questions, not making any sense, ugh. Then the accounting meeting, which was really really intense... not a good intense, like the partners at odds with each other intense over some really awful accounting errors made by crazy bookkeeper. Oh boy. I actually thought the most upset party handled it admirably (thought it would be worse really) and was glad it wasn't my accounting screw up- though it is my mess to help sort out now. Anyway, it was tense. Everything was tense. Then I had to return a dozen calls and head out for a relaxation massage with my sister in law. Awesome. She commented that I was tight. And I was.
I should interject here that in spite of a crazy intense week, working 60 hours a week, feeling like I may be going nuts there's so much to do... I leave work happy. Peaceful. Feeling like I am doing what I'm good at, solving problems, figuring things out, making progress... beautiful! So it is completely nuts, but still goood. It is so good to like my job. Soooo. good.
Anyway, Wednesday morning was no better. It is our busiest month of the year, the calls, emails, paperwork is endless. L was in working with me in the office, we were attempting to make progress and really just scheduling more work and putting out some fires. Mid-morning, the woman from the office we share comes in and says to L, "Is that your car?" Pointing out the window. We rush out. And here it is, the story of the week...
So this woman was at the building next door and got into a car accident up there. All the driveways slope downward into the parking lots and buildings. So she was up a hill, on the street, and apparently had finished dealing with that accident and went to turn around in the parking lot next door. Somehow her door wasn't all the way closed... she leaned on it and half fell out of the car, running herself over with her own car somehow (I think maybe just her foot). Then the car continues down the hill, smashing into L's parked car, making it swerve up onto the curb, and smashing it into the other parked car next to it.
Did you read that?? The woman half falls out of her car, runs herself over, is kind of hanging out of the car while it rolls down the hill and smashes two other cars. All with her grandkids in the backseat. L and I run out there and the woman is hysterical. Completely hysterical. L handles it beautifully, telling the lady not to worry, so long as no one is hurt, things will be fine. Then L comes over to me and breaks down crying on my shoulder. Oh boy. The police and fire department came. Insurance information was exchanged. Hysterical woman calmed down and was unhurt by the whole bizzare incident. The rest of the day L spent dealing with car details, while I continued putting out fires and working my way through the day.
For some reason every single this story was retold, it got funnier. Today L was telling it again (probably my 7th time around) and it just was unbelieveably awesome. I laughed so hard I was in tears. Feeling bad for laughing, but seriously! How freaking hilarious!! (Funnier because no one was actually hurt- although the cars were smashed). And a little disappointed that this happened right outside my window and I only saw the aftermath. Sigh.
Anyway, I hope you have something ridiculous to amuse you today.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
A Day in the Life
Today:
-Mass at 7 am for the Immaculate Conception. Beautiful!
-Get gas while freezing butt off.
-Stop at Meijer to buy lunch stuff and supplies for the office.
-Head into the office.
-Get buried in paperwork, phone calls, coordinating schedules, dealing with crisis...
-L tells me she needs me at an afternoon meeting. oy.
-Cancel meeting with J the crazy bookkeeper.
-Jump in the car with L and head out for the meeting. Hear all about a "more than a friend" situation she has... oy. Take down the sign Reenie.
-2 hour meeting.
-On the way back, we strategize (aka Reenie figures out how to solve the current problem. Quantify the backlog. We've put good processes in place to take care of the problem going forward, but still have backlog to deal with. And no time. And lots of work. And insanity.)
-Experience incredible sense of accomplishment being able to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it. L is relieved. I life coach a bit, telling her how critical it is that she find some work / life balance.
-Back in the office at 4.30 pm. Paper, messages, emails, the guys with things to work out on tomorrow's schedule, go go go.
-Work on quantifying the backlog so I can assign the work to other people. Done. Backlog quantified. L is thrilled. Isn't as bad as we thought (which I knew was the case somehow).
-While wrapping up the quantifying thing, I get into a long discussion with boss #1 about another of our guys who is way backlogged... and we have to solve it. We've got to make him more effective getting the unnecessary stuff off his desk so he can focus on selling jobs, which he is fabulous at. Long discussion about that with the same solution- quantify the backlog. Once it is on paper, we can know what needs ot be passed off, what needs to be done, who needs a phone call, etc. It becomes a solveable problem. Boss thinks I'm great. This leads into a discussion of the production side of the business.
- Walk back into the main office with L, discussion with boss #2 about the next day being overbooked, solve meeting situation, convince B to go to the meeting. B and L both leave. I should go home.
- Instead boss #2 and I get into a long discussion about the business, where they've been, how it came together, what we think of the previous bookkeeper, how the production crew works, the history of that one guy they fired, how we are quantifying the backlog to solve it (he also thinks it's brilliant), the history of him working with L, etc. Good discussion.
-7 pm I finally walk out the door...
-Walk in the door at home, collapse on the couch, trying to motivate myself to work on the family calendar, finalize my Christmas shopping list, contemplate a Christmas letter, and ultimately do nothing.
I love my job. It is totally nuts, but I love it. But I do have to find a way to get back to working 8-9 hour days instead of 10-12 hour days. Some day soon I'm going to find that balance again, figure out how to work normal hours and still have some steam at the end of the day. Some day...
-Mass at 7 am for the Immaculate Conception. Beautiful!
-Get gas while freezing butt off.
-Stop at Meijer to buy lunch stuff and supplies for the office.
-Head into the office.
-Get buried in paperwork, phone calls, coordinating schedules, dealing with crisis...
-L tells me she needs me at an afternoon meeting. oy.
-Cancel meeting with J the crazy bookkeeper.
-Jump in the car with L and head out for the meeting. Hear all about a "more than a friend" situation she has... oy. Take down the sign Reenie.
-2 hour meeting.
-On the way back, we strategize (aka Reenie figures out how to solve the current problem. Quantify the backlog. We've put good processes in place to take care of the problem going forward, but still have backlog to deal with. And no time. And lots of work. And insanity.)
-Experience incredible sense of accomplishment being able to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it. L is relieved. I life coach a bit, telling her how critical it is that she find some work / life balance.
-Back in the office at 4.30 pm. Paper, messages, emails, the guys with things to work out on tomorrow's schedule, go go go.
-Work on quantifying the backlog so I can assign the work to other people. Done. Backlog quantified. L is thrilled. Isn't as bad as we thought (which I knew was the case somehow).
-While wrapping up the quantifying thing, I get into a long discussion with boss #1 about another of our guys who is way backlogged... and we have to solve it. We've got to make him more effective getting the unnecessary stuff off his desk so he can focus on selling jobs, which he is fabulous at. Long discussion about that with the same solution- quantify the backlog. Once it is on paper, we can know what needs ot be passed off, what needs to be done, who needs a phone call, etc. It becomes a solveable problem. Boss thinks I'm great. This leads into a discussion of the production side of the business.
- Walk back into the main office with L, discussion with boss #2 about the next day being overbooked, solve meeting situation, convince B to go to the meeting. B and L both leave. I should go home.
- Instead boss #2 and I get into a long discussion about the business, where they've been, how it came together, what we think of the previous bookkeeper, how the production crew works, the history of that one guy they fired, how we are quantifying the backlog to solve it (he also thinks it's brilliant), the history of him working with L, etc. Good discussion.
-7 pm I finally walk out the door...
-Walk in the door at home, collapse on the couch, trying to motivate myself to work on the family calendar, finalize my Christmas shopping list, contemplate a Christmas letter, and ultimately do nothing.
I love my job. It is totally nuts, but I love it. But I do have to find a way to get back to working 8-9 hour days instead of 10-12 hour days. Some day soon I'm going to find that balance again, figure out how to work normal hours and still have some steam at the end of the day. Some day...
Monday, December 06, 2010
Jingle Ears
I am visiting some friends this weekend and one of our many activities included getting and decorating the Christmas tree. It is hard to describe to you what that activity is like if you haven't met Thomas the Tornado. Loveable, adorable, and incredibly energetic toddler. He's nuts and we love him. But he does have a way of introducing a higher level of energy and chaos into every situation.
At some point we had a pile of jingle bells and needed some occupation for Thomas. So I hung two of the jingle bells on Thomas' ears. Enter the new trend: Jingle ears.
For the rest of the visit, every few minutes, Thomas appears with two bells and says: "Aah bells ears" and hands them to me to put on his ears. Completely delighted, he grins, shakes his jingle ears, and goes back to his activities the happiest boy alive.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Exhaustion
I knew I would be exhausted. Transition wipes me out big time, every single time. And this is no exception. And every time, even trying to mentally prepare, the extent of the exhaustion surprises me. So here I am, finishing up week two on the new job and I'm completely exhausted. Happy, but absolutely exhausted. However, I will say, the first week I only worked three days (it was Thanksgiving week) but I worked 9 and 10 hour days, so it felt longer. So far this week I've worked 42 hours at the new job and 6 at the old job. And it's only Thursday night. Thank God for a long weekend (I am visiting friends Friday morning through Monday afternoon).
But, I am happy to report, even days like today, where I worked from 7:45 am until 7:45 pm, I leave happy. Exhausted, but happy. There's a ton of work. There's a lot of chaos. There's a bunch of good people and a lot of problems for me to solve and processes for me to work out, eliminate wasted time and energy, and basically just do everything I do best. And they think I'm great and respect me -- amazing how those little things can make even the long days feel better. I'm part of a team-- and I like it. Apparently today the general manager told one of my coworkers and the CEO that he's thrilled because he's convinced in short order, I will just be running the business. Hmmm.
So... in a nutshell, it's an adventure. I am happy and feel so blessed to be where I am at. God is good. Happy Advent.
But, I am happy to report, even days like today, where I worked from 7:45 am until 7:45 pm, I leave happy. Exhausted, but happy. There's a ton of work. There's a lot of chaos. There's a bunch of good people and a lot of problems for me to solve and processes for me to work out, eliminate wasted time and energy, and basically just do everything I do best. And they think I'm great and respect me -- amazing how those little things can make even the long days feel better. I'm part of a team-- and I like it. Apparently today the general manager told one of my coworkers and the CEO that he's thrilled because he's convinced in short order, I will just be running the business. Hmmm.
So... in a nutshell, it's an adventure. I am happy and feel so blessed to be where I am at. God is good. Happy Advent.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Green
That's right... we painted the living room green. And not just any green, but bright, pea pod, grass, happy spring, summer green. It's pretty great. Bold. So bold it kind of shocks me that I picked it, but awesome.
Still haven't put everything back, things are in disarray from an insanely busy weekend of family partying, painting, and new homie moving in. And did I mention getting rid of the piano? My handyman brother disassembled it Wednesday and hauled away the wood parts to burn and then Saturday Leslie and I helped the metal collection guy haul the very heavy innards out to his truck. Yeah, it's been busy. Some day I will catch up, right?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
More of the sign...
I really need to get that sign removed from my forehead...
Certainly in my life I've developed cordial relationships with the delivery people-- there was that brown clad delivery man with the handlebar mustache from the days on Main St. (many moons ago). There's the nice orange / blue guy from my last job, who finally remembered my last name after months of trying, just before I quit. There's the postal service lady at my house who I only see on Saturdays. You say hi, have a nice day, thanks for the delivery, right? Isn't that normal?
Today, at my new job (the job I've had for 3 whole days)... and, in fact, hadn't met any of our mail or delivery people yet. Yeah, so the mail lady comes in today to get something signed for and then, on her way out the door, mentions that she's having knee replacement surgery on the 6th so the post will be less prompt while they've got subs for awhile. I smile and say something like "I hope it goes well, have a good thanksgiving!"
She must have turned for a second look and saw the sign on my forehead: "Please tell me your problems." It turned into a 15 minute stop, she came in and let the door close behind her and told all about her knee, the history of it, the drug addict who hit her, the pre-surgery surgery last year, that her doc was out for awhile and his partner was trying to cover all his patients, how glad she is to have the surgery now, even though it is a long recovery... oh yeah, we got details. She was very friendly, but I was trying to head out to have lunch with a friend. Finally I cut off the story by putting on my own coat, she follows me out and continues to tell me about her retirement, the shame these awful taxes are, and just keeps going... She was very sweet. And I was late for lunch.
Take down the sign already Reenie.
Certainly in my life I've developed cordial relationships with the delivery people-- there was that brown clad delivery man with the handlebar mustache from the days on Main St. (many moons ago). There's the nice orange / blue guy from my last job, who finally remembered my last name after months of trying, just before I quit. There's the postal service lady at my house who I only see on Saturdays. You say hi, have a nice day, thanks for the delivery, right? Isn't that normal?
Today, at my new job (the job I've had for 3 whole days)... and, in fact, hadn't met any of our mail or delivery people yet. Yeah, so the mail lady comes in today to get something signed for and then, on her way out the door, mentions that she's having knee replacement surgery on the 6th so the post will be less prompt while they've got subs for awhile. I smile and say something like "I hope it goes well, have a good thanksgiving!"
She must have turned for a second look and saw the sign on my forehead: "Please tell me your problems." It turned into a 15 minute stop, she came in and let the door close behind her and told all about her knee, the history of it, the drug addict who hit her, the pre-surgery surgery last year, that her doc was out for awhile and his partner was trying to cover all his patients, how glad she is to have the surgery now, even though it is a long recovery... oh yeah, we got details. She was very friendly, but I was trying to head out to have lunch with a friend. Finally I cut off the story by putting on my own coat, she follows me out and continues to tell me about her retirement, the shame these awful taxes are, and just keeps going... She was very sweet. And I was late for lunch.
Take down the sign already Reenie.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The New Job
Day 1 on the new job went fairly well. It started with a staff meeting, I didn't have to say or do anything, just observe. Then I met with L, who is the general manager's mom. She mostly works out of her home and does a lot for the business. She's thrilled to have someone there at the office taking care of things and hopefully putting things in order. So she showed me some of the programs and did some explaining. Then decided I would go to this project meeting with her in Ferndale (over an hour away). It would give us more talking time and I may eventually end up taking this project over. Then somewhere in there it was decided we'd grab lunch before going. And "grabbing" lunch meant a sit down at a nearby cafe.
So I got the skinny on things... the other two top candidates who were qualified for the position were both really disturbed by the office dog (and if they are bothered by a calm dog, how will they deal with the chaos) and that L thought I was the right one from the start. Heard about J and his wife just leaving him (breaks my heart). How long L has been working with her son C. How great her grandkids are. How much they need me in the office, how happy she is to have me. That her dog isn't potty trained. Blah blah blah. Then we got in the car to head to our meeting, and next thing I know L is telling me about her divorce a year ago, how her husband of many years found a younger model, how heartbreaking it is... I really thought I left my "Please tell me your troubles" sign at home ... but apparently not. (Seriously, can everyone see that sign???)
Other than the deep personal sharing, we also talked about this project, the meeting, some struggles in the program, etc. It's intergovernmental stuff-- L was really excited to learn I understand how these types of things go and said I had some fantastic questions and could I please talk during the meeting. Uh okay. The meeting was fine and L tells me at the end that if I didn't understand every single thing that was said, she'd never know. I guess that's a good sign. We spend the next hour in the car again, more work talk, more personal sharing, some discussions of coffee preferences (we like the same coffee... how great is that?). By the end of the ride, we are pretty much BFF. We get back to the office and most of the guys are gone, so we go over the meeting with the two guys B and R who also work that project. It was good. I could tell that they were impressed at my understanding of a project I just got thrown in to.
It feels really great to be using my brain again. Not just my brain, but my thinking, problem solving, team working skillz. I love that. And the rest of the job will continue to unfold and I think I will be working a lot of hours to help them catch up and get things in good working order. It's good. I'm exhausted, but happy to have a good challenge in front of me, and apparently plenty of life coaching to do as well. God is good.
So I got the skinny on things... the other two top candidates who were qualified for the position were both really disturbed by the office dog (and if they are bothered by a calm dog, how will they deal with the chaos) and that L thought I was the right one from the start. Heard about J and his wife just leaving him (breaks my heart). How long L has been working with her son C. How great her grandkids are. How much they need me in the office, how happy she is to have me. That her dog isn't potty trained. Blah blah blah. Then we got in the car to head to our meeting, and next thing I know L is telling me about her divorce a year ago, how her husband of many years found a younger model, how heartbreaking it is... I really thought I left my "Please tell me your troubles" sign at home ... but apparently not. (Seriously, can everyone see that sign???)
Other than the deep personal sharing, we also talked about this project, the meeting, some struggles in the program, etc. It's intergovernmental stuff-- L was really excited to learn I understand how these types of things go and said I had some fantastic questions and could I please talk during the meeting. Uh okay. The meeting was fine and L tells me at the end that if I didn't understand every single thing that was said, she'd never know. I guess that's a good sign. We spend the next hour in the car again, more work talk, more personal sharing, some discussions of coffee preferences (we like the same coffee... how great is that?). By the end of the ride, we are pretty much BFF. We get back to the office and most of the guys are gone, so we go over the meeting with the two guys B and R who also work that project. It was good. I could tell that they were impressed at my understanding of a project I just got thrown in to.
It feels really great to be using my brain again. Not just my brain, but my thinking, problem solving, team working skillz. I love that. And the rest of the job will continue to unfold and I think I will be working a lot of hours to help them catch up and get things in good working order. It's good. I'm exhausted, but happy to have a good challenge in front of me, and apparently plenty of life coaching to do as well. God is good.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Week Ahead
Monday: Start new job with a 7.45 am staff meeting. Woo hoo! Book club (and I actually finished the book!) Pick up the Buckster (visiting dog) for the week. Finalize bulletin and send to publisher (old job).
Tuesday: More new job. Return stuff at Lowes, buy paint. Grocery shop for thanksgiving stuff. Take apart and move bed (moving bedrooms).
Wednesday: More new job.
Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving. Mass. Photo shoot with little sis? Dinner with the fam (small crowd, maybe)? Unwind?
Friday: Day off work (I think). Early morning shopping trip? Afternoon Thanksgiving dinner with the extended Cous clan. Go home and move furniture out of the living room. Prep living room for painting.
Saturday: Paint the living room.
Sunday: Finish painting / touching up. Move furniture back into living room, rearrange the room.
I've been wanting to repaint the living room for awhile, but only today did I let one of my housemates convince me that we want to do it this weekend. It would be nice to have it done before Christmas, right? On the other hand, it might be totally nuts to try to do it the same week as starting a new job and probably having the third housemate move in (meaning I'm moving bedrooms too)... hmmm. Yeah, I agree, I'm certifiably nuts. We'll see how much of this actually happens...
Tuesday: More new job. Return stuff at Lowes, buy paint. Grocery shop for thanksgiving stuff. Take apart and move bed (moving bedrooms).
Wednesday: More new job.
Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving. Mass. Photo shoot with little sis? Dinner with the fam (small crowd, maybe)? Unwind?
Friday: Day off work (I think). Early morning shopping trip? Afternoon Thanksgiving dinner with the extended Cous clan. Go home and move furniture out of the living room. Prep living room for painting.
Saturday: Paint the living room.
Sunday: Finish painting / touching up. Move furniture back into living room, rearrange the room.
I've been wanting to repaint the living room for awhile, but only today did I let one of my housemates convince me that we want to do it this weekend. It would be nice to have it done before Christmas, right? On the other hand, it might be totally nuts to try to do it the same week as starting a new job and probably having the third housemate move in (meaning I'm moving bedrooms too)... hmmm. Yeah, I agree, I'm certifiably nuts. We'll see how much of this actually happens...
Friday, November 19, 2010
One step at a time
Today was my last day in the office at my current job. Somehow I volunteered to help out during the transition... so I'm still handling part of my job until after Christmas. But at least it was my last day in the office... it's been a grueling week, too much to do, trying to weed out my files, purge everything, and finish up a lot of stuff. Exhausting. But done. And after all that, I grabbed my calendar, my emergency chocolate, my food from the fridge, the office sweater... and somehow left my purse. Oops. It is a little surreal being done there, or at least mostly done there. God is good.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Project Sanity Marches On...
Well, right now this part of Project Sanity feels more like Project Insanity. The big transition is underway... one more long day at my current job (plus some religious ed related stuff I will continue doing until Jan 5th-- yeah, still don't know why I offered that...). Anyway, today I threw away a lot of stuff-- went through files that meant something to me but wouldn't mean anything to the next guy (whoever that may be). I did some handing off (ish) training. And have a huge stack of stuff and a very long to do list for Friday. So... unofficially, tomorrow, Friday is my last day. Officially it's sometime mid-December and for real I am handing off ALL responsibility after January 5th. Go figure.
Tonight most of the staff took me out for a good bye dinner which was nice. For as rough as the job has been, I have worked with some great people. I will miss working with some of them, and will miss working with a lot of great parishioners. And yet, no regrets. I haven't reconsidered my decision once. It is time. I am ready. Well, I'm ready for the switch to be done- I'm not sure I'm actually ready for tomorrow...
And then I get a weekend... and then Monday I start the new job with a 7:45 am staff meeting (on Monday!). Onward!!
Tonight most of the staff took me out for a good bye dinner which was nice. For as rough as the job has been, I have worked with some great people. I will miss working with some of them, and will miss working with a lot of great parishioners. And yet, no regrets. I haven't reconsidered my decision once. It is time. I am ready. Well, I'm ready for the switch to be done- I'm not sure I'm actually ready for tomorrow...
And then I get a weekend... and then Monday I start the new job with a 7:45 am staff meeting (on Monday!). Onward!!
Friday, November 12, 2010
A boy and his dog... well, my dog
This is a boy who absolutely loves my dog. I've mentioned it before, the affection between the two of them, the full body tackle when Suzie goes flying off the porch to greet him (which he loves somehow), and that he considers Suzie part his dog (and reminds me of that on a regular basis).
Anyway, this particular day the kids were over for a haircut and some crafting. Good times. At the end, we decided to take a walk to the park. Of course we took Suzie and Geno wanted to "walk" her. Now, I should say I work on training my dogs, but Suze definitely pulls. And frankly she probably weighs as much as he does, so I think it is unwise to just hand over the leash, knowing it could end in a skinned knee for the boy or the dog running loose down the street.
Anyway, this particular day the kids were over for a haircut and some crafting. Good times. At the end, we decided to take a walk to the park. Of course we took Suzie and Geno wanted to "walk" her. Now, I should say I work on training my dogs, but Suze definitely pulls. And frankly she probably weighs as much as he does, so I think it is unwise to just hand over the leash, knowing it could end in a skinned knee for the boy or the dog running loose down the street.
Once we got to the park, the boy was disappointed no one else wanted to run up and down the hills with him. Since it was grass and Suze needed a good run, I handed her over, reminding Geno that she will pull when she's running. It was hilarious. He'd run down the hill with her, and at one tug, he'd throw himself on the ground, football tackle style. Then grinning, pick himself back up, and run again till the next tug, when he'd throw himself back on the ground, laughing and then Suzie would run over to lick his face with delight.
Clearly they were enjoying it! And I'm not sure about the boy, but the dog arrived home nicely worn out.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
The Three "T"s
Sometimes I feel like the past couple years has been a progression of one step forward, two steps back. Constantly. And I cannot seem to catch up, because let's face it, the last two years have been full of the big "T"... Transition.
This week's transition is brought to you by (drum roll please) ... A NEW JOB! That's right folks. Since it's been almost exactly a year since my last job transition, I thought we should do it again. Well, not really. But my current job, though I am working for an organization very near and dear to my heart, has been rough. Just not a good fit for me. Feels like it is sucking the life out of me. For 11.5 months now. I think I have served the parish well, done some important work, and am happy to be handing it on to the next person. It is Time (another great T word). Time for Transition.
I started job hunting seriously a couple months again, deciding it was time to expand my search beyond my home state. Certainly not hoping to have to leave... but feeling like it was just Time and if that meant moving out of state, so be it. So the last couple months have been me going back to the job search front in the evenings. Writing cover letters. Lots of online applications that seem to go out into the great big void. And then in one week two local opportunities, both referred by friends. Then the inevitable waiting... One call. Could I come in that Tuesday. YES!! I'll be honest, the friend that referred me said he was working with them and that they needed ME. Not just someone, Me. Well, the job description was vague, so I wasn't terribly hopeful but thought it was worth a shot. I told Jesus on my way in that it was all His. Make the way clear.
And then I interviewed... and it has never been so clear to me that they needed ME. Not just some generic office manager, but me!! Woah. Afraid to be too hopeful, and knowing they were interviewing 8 of us that day, I just prayed and held my breath and honestly, got pretty excited. And the next day I got the call asking me back for round 2 (with only 1 or 2 others). Eeeeek. I interviewed again Thursday afternoon, and again, connected soooo well, loved the guys I interviewed with, and felt like this was the job made for me.
I told Jesus on my way out of that interview, "Lord, if they offer me this job, I am taking it. So if you have another plan, this is your moment." Another long day of waiting, and then I got the message. They would love to have me join the team!! Woo hoo!! And here it comes, the third "T"... THANKFUL.
I am a little overwhelmed looking at the amount of transition looming in front of me... trying to wrap up and hand off my current job, starting the new job, not to mention the holidays, already being behind on life, etc. But I am overwhelmed with a sense of profound gratitude at God's provision for me. I have felt really stuck and kind of abandoned where I'm at, and sometimes I have prayed for specific things and the answer has been "No." Which can be really hard to hear and accept. But I am reminded that all of it is part of God's plan for me. Plans for good and not for evil, plans to give me hope and a future. I am thankful for the time I had here, for the struggles that made me grow in ways I certainly wasn't planning for, and for the opportunity to work with a lot of amazing people.
And I am THANKFUL to be moving forward. To be starting a job that seems like a great fit. To continue to grow and learn and serve. I am grateful for a Father that loves me and provides so perfectly for me. And did I mention how thankful I am to be remaining in southeast Michigan? That I don't have to sell my house and move across the country? That I get to stay in my home, drive 20 minutes to work, stay part of a parish I love, stay near many family and friends... Woo hoo!! God is so good!
PS. If I drop off the planet for the next 6 weeks, at least now you know why. But don't worry, once I'm through the exhausting transition period, I'll be back and ready to re-enter society, hopefully more functional than before even :D
This week's transition is brought to you by (drum roll please) ... A NEW JOB! That's right folks. Since it's been almost exactly a year since my last job transition, I thought we should do it again. Well, not really. But my current job, though I am working for an organization very near and dear to my heart, has been rough. Just not a good fit for me. Feels like it is sucking the life out of me. For 11.5 months now. I think I have served the parish well, done some important work, and am happy to be handing it on to the next person. It is Time (another great T word). Time for Transition.
I started job hunting seriously a couple months again, deciding it was time to expand my search beyond my home state. Certainly not hoping to have to leave... but feeling like it was just Time and if that meant moving out of state, so be it. So the last couple months have been me going back to the job search front in the evenings. Writing cover letters. Lots of online applications that seem to go out into the great big void. And then in one week two local opportunities, both referred by friends. Then the inevitable waiting... One call. Could I come in that Tuesday. YES!! I'll be honest, the friend that referred me said he was working with them and that they needed ME. Not just someone, Me. Well, the job description was vague, so I wasn't terribly hopeful but thought it was worth a shot. I told Jesus on my way in that it was all His. Make the way clear.
And then I interviewed... and it has never been so clear to me that they needed ME. Not just some generic office manager, but me!! Woah. Afraid to be too hopeful, and knowing they were interviewing 8 of us that day, I just prayed and held my breath and honestly, got pretty excited. And the next day I got the call asking me back for round 2 (with only 1 or 2 others). Eeeeek. I interviewed again Thursday afternoon, and again, connected soooo well, loved the guys I interviewed with, and felt like this was the job made for me.
I told Jesus on my way out of that interview, "Lord, if they offer me this job, I am taking it. So if you have another plan, this is your moment." Another long day of waiting, and then I got the message. They would love to have me join the team!! Woo hoo!! And here it comes, the third "T"... THANKFUL.
I am a little overwhelmed looking at the amount of transition looming in front of me... trying to wrap up and hand off my current job, starting the new job, not to mention the holidays, already being behind on life, etc. But I am overwhelmed with a sense of profound gratitude at God's provision for me. I have felt really stuck and kind of abandoned where I'm at, and sometimes I have prayed for specific things and the answer has been "No." Which can be really hard to hear and accept. But I am reminded that all of it is part of God's plan for me. Plans for good and not for evil, plans to give me hope and a future. I am thankful for the time I had here, for the struggles that made me grow in ways I certainly wasn't planning for, and for the opportunity to work with a lot of amazing people.
And I am THANKFUL to be moving forward. To be starting a job that seems like a great fit. To continue to grow and learn and serve. I am grateful for a Father that loves me and provides so perfectly for me. And did I mention how thankful I am to be remaining in southeast Michigan? That I don't have to sell my house and move across the country? That I get to stay in my home, drive 20 minutes to work, stay part of a parish I love, stay near many family and friends... Woo hoo!! God is so good!
PS. If I drop off the planet for the next 6 weeks, at least now you know why. But don't worry, once I'm through the exhausting transition period, I'll be back and ready to re-enter society, hopefully more functional than before even :D
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Homesteadiversary
Happy Anniversary to the Nichols Homestead.
There's this country song on the radio a lot lately with this woman talking about her childhood home being the "house that built me." The Nichols Homestead is definitely the house that built me. I've learned an incredible amount through this lovely house... how to fix things, how to prioritize, how important an appliance motor can be, how to regrout a tub, how to wire a new plug... endless lessons. Thanks for eight great years, for the moments, the projects, for being my haven. It really is true, there's no place like home...
There's this country song on the radio a lot lately with this woman talking about her childhood home being the "house that built me." The Nichols Homestead is definitely the house that built me. I've learned an incredible amount through this lovely house... how to fix things, how to prioritize, how important an appliance motor can be, how to regrout a tub, how to wire a new plug... endless lessons. Thanks for eight great years, for the moments, the projects, for being my haven. It really is true, there's no place like home...
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
More perspective from my desk...
An older man I don't know walked in and greeted me with a kind smile. "When they have a funeral here, is there a place to have a luncheon?"
I told him that we have a gym at the far end of this building where we hold funeral lunches, there's a warming kitchen, tables, blah blah blah. Pretty short and sweet. Since we had a funeral there Monday and another one scheduled for Thursday, I thought maybe he was connected with the Thursday funeral. So I asked if he was planning a funeral, and he said very peacefully and sort of matter of factly. "Yeah, mine."
I'm sure my eyebrows shot up involuntarily. He continued, "This cancer I've got, they've only given me a month or so to live. I want to make sure there's a place for the family to have a nice luncheon once I'm gone." He smiled and told me to have a great day and headed toward the door. I said I would be praying for him. He smiled and thanked me and walked out the door.
Perspective.
I told him that we have a gym at the far end of this building where we hold funeral lunches, there's a warming kitchen, tables, blah blah blah. Pretty short and sweet. Since we had a funeral there Monday and another one scheduled for Thursday, I thought maybe he was connected with the Thursday funeral. So I asked if he was planning a funeral, and he said very peacefully and sort of matter of factly. "Yeah, mine."
I'm sure my eyebrows shot up involuntarily. He continued, "This cancer I've got, they've only given me a month or so to live. I want to make sure there's a place for the family to have a nice luncheon once I'm gone." He smiled and told me to have a great day and headed toward the door. I said I would be praying for him. He smiled and thanked me and walked out the door.
Perspective.
Proud to be an American!
In the last big election, I remember watching the results coming in with dismal disappointment. Nothing and no one I voted for passed / won. Argh. One race after another went down in flames. Tonight is just the opposite. Final calls haven't been made yet but it is a relief to see some of my races, some local, some national, looking positive in my view.
And no matter how it turns out, there's something I really love about voting. It makes me proud to be an American. Proud to stand for those who can't stand for themselves. Proud to be part of the system, even if I am just a small part of it. It matters. Democracy matters. Participating matters. Hooray for the red, white, and blue!!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
End of the weekend
I think the mid-progress brain dump is more interesting than end of the day (or weekend) progress. So I'll leave it at this:
-- The oven roasted tomatoes were delicious and I froze 3 bags of them. I highly recommend them. Mmmm.
-- The bread pudding needed more pudding and less bread. Guess it serves me right for using whole wheat bread instead of french bread and not measuring.
--The house isn't clean, but progress was made, in spite of the broken flower pot right when I thought I was finally getting somewhere.
--I also managed to caulk around a couple windows outside and trim some bushes and do a bit of garden clean up.
--Applesauce was made with friends and at someone else's house. "Hi. My name is Reenie. I can."
And here we are, Sunday night... me, hiding in a dark house since I didn't buy candy or make plans to be out of the house. I could have gone out (thanks for the invite) but I really needed some quiet at home time-- so we did it in the dark. Barking like crazy when people did ring the doorbell.
-- The oven roasted tomatoes were delicious and I froze 3 bags of them. I highly recommend them. Mmmm.
-- The bread pudding needed more pudding and less bread. Guess it serves me right for using whole wheat bread instead of french bread and not measuring.
--The house isn't clean, but progress was made, in spite of the broken flower pot right when I thought I was finally getting somewhere.
--I also managed to caulk around a couple windows outside and trim some bushes and do a bit of garden clean up.
--Applesauce was made with friends and at someone else's house. "Hi. My name is Reenie. I can."
And here we are, Sunday night... me, hiding in a dark house since I didn't buy candy or make plans to be out of the house. I could have gone out (thanks for the invite) but I really needed some quiet at home time-- so we did it in the dark. Barking like crazy when people did ring the doorbell.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Mid-Saturday Progress (or lack thereof)
- Sleep in until 9:15-- lovely but surprising for me.
- Feed and drug dogs.
- Spoon with the Love Sponge (who is particularly needy today) while coffee brews.
- Visit with the homies and bitches while drinking coffee (I have the greatest homies ever).
- Vacuum living room rugs, sweep living room. Daydream about a vacuum that sucks better than mine. Decide to declutter and reorganize the whole room (but without actually doing so).
- Start clearing dining room table-- find source for bad smell: tomato that has gone bad and leaked through basket and onto dining room table. Eww. Kick myself for being so dumb.
- Pick basil leaves off stems for cooking with, throw stems into compost. Decide the yard definitely needs to be raked, scooped, mowed, edged (but without actually do so).
- Dump all the tomato bowls into the sink to wash green and red tomatoes to save myself from another mushy tomato disaster.
- Finish loading the dishwasher and start it.
- Notice the bread that I flopped last weekend. Decide to make crockpot bread pudding.
- Look up recipe for crockpot bread pudding and put everything in the crockpot and turn on (yay!! one thing actually accomplished)
- Go back to the tomato situation. Lots of ripe tomatoes... hmmmm. Look up recipe for oven roasting tomatoes (which I've always wanted to try and never get around to).
- Make oven roasted tomatoes-- well, get them into the oven, there to roast for awhile. Mmmmm. Smells incredible already. Oh wait, that might just be all the garlic I put on them.
- Check out the kitchen disaster and contemplate making bread since it is already a disaster area.
- Sit down to check facebook and blog about my lack of any real progress so far while eating lunch.
- Feed and drug dogs.
- Spoon with the Love Sponge (who is particularly needy today) while coffee brews.
- Visit with the homies and bitches while drinking coffee (I have the greatest homies ever).
- Vacuum living room rugs, sweep living room. Daydream about a vacuum that sucks better than mine. Decide to declutter and reorganize the whole room (but without actually doing so).
- Start clearing dining room table-- find source for bad smell: tomato that has gone bad and leaked through basket and onto dining room table. Eww. Kick myself for being so dumb.
- Pick basil leaves off stems for cooking with, throw stems into compost. Decide the yard definitely needs to be raked, scooped, mowed, edged (but without actually do so).
- Dump all the tomato bowls into the sink to wash green and red tomatoes to save myself from another mushy tomato disaster.
- Finish loading the dishwasher and start it.
- Notice the bread that I flopped last weekend. Decide to make crockpot bread pudding.
- Look up recipe for crockpot bread pudding and put everything in the crockpot and turn on (yay!! one thing actually accomplished)
- Go back to the tomato situation. Lots of ripe tomatoes... hmmmm. Look up recipe for oven roasting tomatoes (which I've always wanted to try and never get around to).
- Make oven roasted tomatoes-- well, get them into the oven, there to roast for awhile. Mmmmm. Smells incredible already. Oh wait, that might just be all the garlic I put on them.
- Check out the kitchen disaster and contemplate making bread since it is already a disaster area.
- Sit down to check facebook and blog about my lack of any real progress so far while eating lunch.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Love Sponge
Jenny Pink explaining the facts of life to Suzie the Love Sponge. "See Suzie this is nice. I like it when you aren't wrapping your head around me. I think I've discovered our problem Suzie. You're an affection thief Suzie. Which means it isn't freely given, which means it isn't really love."
I am pretty sure Suzie doesn’t get it.
Here she is making out with Uncle Owen. He was forced to protect himself after a couple french kisses from the Love Sponge. 
Friday, October 22, 2010
Canning Addiction
I picked a bushel of apples a few weeks ago because I heard it wasn’t a great year for apples around here and I kind of panicked. I did a small batch of applesauce on my own (although I have this nagging feeling someone was over doing it with me… maybe Fiona? I really can’t put a face on my helper right now- and it could well have been just me).
Where was I? Right. Canning apples. I now have two regular canning crowds—I’ve had one canning crowd for years, with some additions and subtractions to that crowd, but it all evens out. And canning crowds are a trick
Today was applesaucing with Donal and Lindsey 
The other canning crowd is scheduled to come on Oct. 31st. I’ve done my applesauce already so I’ll just do theirs with them. And I am confident that will be great fun too!!
Note: Don’t get me wrong- I don’t only can… I do tons of other stuff, but it does seem that maybe the canning is getting out of hand. But I’m still enjoying it…
And so ends the garden...
For two days there had been a tiny bit of frost on the grass. And then the weather report predicted a hard freeze last night. So somewhere between lunch with my brother and dinner with my grandparents, I raced home to pick anything salvageable out of the garden. I even took a picture to post here-- except that I left my laptop in a different state last weekend, along with the necessary downloading tools and cords. Oh well, the picture will have to wait. Close your eyes and imagine this:
-- Two large bowls of green tomatoes
-- Two large bowls of peppers (bell and jalapenos)
-- A big bunch of basil
-- Two large bowls of green tomatoes
-- Two large bowls of peppers (bell and jalapenos)
-- A big bunch of basil
There are still a few carrots to dig up, some broccoli that probably won’t make it to the edible stage, and I’m sure the volunteer tomatillo plant is now frozen and over. Too bad they never got big enough to eat.
The end of the garden is always brings such a mix of relief and sadness. It's a relief because at the end there, it can be a little overwhelming. And the weeds can get to the daunting stage. And yet, being in the garden is one of my favorite things about spring, summer, and fall... so it's sad to finish it up for the year-- knowing that winter is what stands between the garden and I until spring. Sadness. Although, I must say, without winter, I really don't think I would appreciate the rest of the season nearly as much as I do.
So farewell dear garden. I'll see you again in the spring (and maybe to do some plant clean up this fall... if I get that far).
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Fall in Michigan
This is for my sister, who is missing fall in Michigan. As I mentioned awhile ago, I decided to enjoy fall this year without thinking about winter. It is actually working quite well. And fall in Michigan is a beautiful thing. No way around it.
So here it is, sister dear. I’m missing you like crazy here in Michigan, and sharing some of my fall long distance. I love you!
Life is a zoo
Today we packed everyone into the minivans and headed for the Washington DC zoo. Some other friends met us there, including my hilarious godson, Henry, and his parents and sister. It was a gorgeous fall day and we all enjoyed the wildlife (both the toddlers and the zoo animals). Sometimes all you need is some quality time with buddies :)
Thanks for a great day buddies!!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Worth the hype
Two fabulous men who took six kids (six and under) to Washington DC, on the subway, to see the Smithsonian museums leaving us women and the baby at home to make applesauce, visit, go antique malling, and enjoy the peace and quiet (and the smell of cooking apples). Absolutely delightful. Amazing dads and husbands- totally worth the hype.
Also worth the hype: spending a day with my girlfriends, Karen and Alexis, and Cecilia, sweetest baby alive.
It's been a worth the hype kind of day here in Emmitsburg.
Also worth the hype: spending a day with my girlfriends, Karen and Alexis, and Cecilia, sweetest baby alive.
It's been a worth the hype kind of day here in Emmitsburg.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Quick Takes Friday
1. Today is my Friday. I know I know, it's only Wednesday, but since it is my last work day this week, it counts as Friday. Of course, instead it was Wednesday AND Friday, meaning my two longest days of the week. Wednesdays are long because I work a normal day, and then stick around to coordinate religious education classes until 9:30 ish... It's a brutally long day in some ways, but most of my favorite munchkins troop by in the morning on the way to their Atrium class and then stop for kisses and stickers afterward. How could that not be the best part of my week?
2. I am up ridiculously late- I should definitely be in bed, but I was getting stuff done. Pre-trip type stuff. Visiting with my fabulous housemate who now works the opposite schedule as me, so I never see her. Naturally we hung out for awhile. I checked the weather for here (in case of frost) and my destination (in case I actually take time to pack seasonally appropriate clothing). Finally threw in that load of laundry since I need some of the contents for the weekend. Swept the kitchen floor. Canned that tomato sauce I made yesterday. Thought what a good idea it would have been to pack before the morning of leaving (but didn't actually do it). Tested a new face cream that feels like its turned my face red (I hate sensitive skin sometimes). Cuddled with a couple pooches. Loaded the dishwasher.
3. And now that it is officially 2.5 hours past my bedtime, on a day I worked 12 hours and picked apples on lunch... it does occur to me I had a cup of caffeinated coffee at dinner time. I figured I'd be up for hours and would be tired enough it wouldn't matter... maybe that is why I'm up boring you to death with a blog post after 1 am.
4. I may have shared how excited I am for a weekend away... a long weekend... a couple days off work. A weekend with lots of buddies, big and small, and some of them being two of my favorite Godchildren. And some of those fun people being the friends I'll roadtrip down with. So happy. Sigh of contentment. It almost doesn't bother me that I'll be up again in only a couple hours and have nothing packed...
5. I'm in the midst of a rough patch in life right now. Trying not to complain, but I know it comes through (sorry all). Every day has just been difficult lately and I don't get it. I ask God daily to make a way for me. And today I had two of those moments that kind of took my breath away... the Chilean mining rescue-- 33 men were trapped underground for over 2 months and were finally rescued today! Seeing the miners as they came up. The tears of joy and thankfulness on the faces of their family and friends. Thinking about what these men have lived through in the last couple months. Wow, talk about some perspective. And I thought I had a rough day? Not hardly.
And then a woman came into the office today. She said "I need help. I need to talk to someone." Sadly all three of the clergy (the people who are supposed to help such people) were in meetings and unavailable. After she waited a bit, I went over to explain the situation, get a phone number, see if I could do anything. "We are new to the area. My husband is at the local hospital, he's a parapalegic and today they told us there's nothing else we can do." The pain and heartbreak of her situation just hit me. Thud. Wasn't expecting that. I expressed how sorry I was, that I was really glad she came in, that I could have one of the deacons call tomorrow, come visit her husband. She shed a few tears and we hugged. The woman told me that she'd come and parked in our parking lot several times, wanting to come in, wanting to join the parish, but today was the first day she could make herself do it. Why today Lord? Why when there was no one to speak to her (well the clergy anyway). Here she was, a perfect stranger to me, and I was being called to leave the busyness, the craziness, the paperwork (oh Lord the paperwork) and be Christ. Thud. I am so inadequate. Aren't we all? And yet, God calls us each to do our part, in the moments of life. The surprise encounters. To see Him in His most distressing disguises, in the hungry, the suffering, the poor, the naked (some of you get this a lot)... to comfort the afflicted. And what this woman gave me was a profound sense of gratitude. Sure, things may not be all that great for me right now, but I am thankful for the ability to walk. Deep breathe. Perspective. So incredibly important sometimes, isn't it?
2. I am up ridiculously late- I should definitely be in bed, but I was getting stuff done. Pre-trip type stuff. Visiting with my fabulous housemate who now works the opposite schedule as me, so I never see her. Naturally we hung out for awhile. I checked the weather for here (in case of frost) and my destination (in case I actually take time to pack seasonally appropriate clothing). Finally threw in that load of laundry since I need some of the contents for the weekend. Swept the kitchen floor. Canned that tomato sauce I made yesterday. Thought what a good idea it would have been to pack before the morning of leaving (but didn't actually do it). Tested a new face cream that feels like its turned my face red (I hate sensitive skin sometimes). Cuddled with a couple pooches. Loaded the dishwasher.
3. And now that it is officially 2.5 hours past my bedtime, on a day I worked 12 hours and picked apples on lunch... it does occur to me I had a cup of caffeinated coffee at dinner time. I figured I'd be up for hours and would be tired enough it wouldn't matter... maybe that is why I'm up boring you to death with a blog post after 1 am.
4. I may have shared how excited I am for a weekend away... a long weekend... a couple days off work. A weekend with lots of buddies, big and small, and some of them being two of my favorite Godchildren. And some of those fun people being the friends I'll roadtrip down with. So happy. Sigh of contentment. It almost doesn't bother me that I'll be up again in only a couple hours and have nothing packed...
5. I'm in the midst of a rough patch in life right now. Trying not to complain, but I know it comes through (sorry all). Every day has just been difficult lately and I don't get it. I ask God daily to make a way for me. And today I had two of those moments that kind of took my breath away... the Chilean mining rescue-- 33 men were trapped underground for over 2 months and were finally rescued today! Seeing the miners as they came up. The tears of joy and thankfulness on the faces of their family and friends. Thinking about what these men have lived through in the last couple months. Wow, talk about some perspective. And I thought I had a rough day? Not hardly.
And then a woman came into the office today. She said "I need help. I need to talk to someone." Sadly all three of the clergy (the people who are supposed to help such people) were in meetings and unavailable. After she waited a bit, I went over to explain the situation, get a phone number, see if I could do anything. "We are new to the area. My husband is at the local hospital, he's a parapalegic and today they told us there's nothing else we can do." The pain and heartbreak of her situation just hit me. Thud. Wasn't expecting that. I expressed how sorry I was, that I was really glad she came in, that I could have one of the deacons call tomorrow, come visit her husband. She shed a few tears and we hugged. The woman told me that she'd come and parked in our parking lot several times, wanting to come in, wanting to join the parish, but today was the first day she could make herself do it. Why today Lord? Why when there was no one to speak to her (well the clergy anyway). Here she was, a perfect stranger to me, and I was being called to leave the busyness, the craziness, the paperwork (oh Lord the paperwork) and be Christ. Thud. I am so inadequate. Aren't we all? And yet, God calls us each to do our part, in the moments of life. The surprise encounters. To see Him in His most distressing disguises, in the hungry, the suffering, the poor, the naked (some of you get this a lot)... to comfort the afflicted. And what this woman gave me was a profound sense of gratitude. Sure, things may not be all that great for me right now, but I am thankful for the ability to walk. Deep breathe. Perspective. So incredibly important sometimes, isn't it?
Friday, October 08, 2010
Quick Takes Friday
1. This weekend I’m going on retreat with the women in our parish. Usually I enjoy the women’s retreat… this year I am dreading it. I think it’s an overreaction from being burned out at work and hounded by people for every little thing (which is what you get for being easy to work with)… but I am concerned I will be hounded the entire retreat. That the crazies (and even the non-crazies) won’t leave me alone. Like I said, I think it’s an overreaction from some very intense weeks here at work… but it’s making me twitch even thinking about it. I may have to hide all weekend. Or come up with a really sweet way of saying “Um. I’m not at work. I can’t / won’t / couldn’t possibly talk work when I’m not at work.” The bright spot is my friends Michele (from Florida) and Cathy (from Colorado) are coming! I’m looking forward to hanging out with them on retreat, and seeing my other friends there as well. But cringing a little on the inside and thinking about hiding.
2. There is a woman who comes into my office every Friday after going to Adoration to complain about the flowers in the Adoration chapel. She isn’t even a parishioner. Every single Friday something is wrong: she wants the large bouquet centered (“Isn’t it more important to have the roses in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament than over to the side?”), she thinks the roses are too wilted (“I don’t think it’s appropriate to have wilting flowers in front of Our Lord”) and could I please go do something?! Today was no different. Apparently some of the roses were wilting and others were fine. I try to navigate the weekly encounters politely and give her some room to be OCD, but come on lady, every single Friday? Why don’t you focus on Jesus and forget about the flowers.
3. I am going to visit some people that I love, with some other people that I love, next weekend. I can’t wait. We will drive Thursday, visit Thurs evening – Sunday morning, drive home Sunday afternoon. Hoo-rah. This deserves a longer quick take—but I don’t know what else to say. I am so so so so so so so excited.
4. My garden is still goingand going. The broccoli that never really got going (because I planted it late) is now getting big—maybe I’ll have fall broccoli instead of spring broccoli this year. The tomatoes are definitely slowing down but still coming. I’m guessing next week I’ll have to just pick everything left and let it ripen inside. The peppers are going crazy. I think I have over a dozen sweet bell peppers to cut up and freeze, and lots of jalapenos, even though I mostly just use those for salsa and have done my couple batches of salsa for the year. Maybe I’ll cut those up and freeze them as well. And I still have some basil, and carrots to dig up. I think that’s it, everything else is done for the year.
5. Jane drew this image of me this week. I think it just about says it all (note the poorly drawn head and bleary eyes)...
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
The Lists
My good friend Sarah tried this experiment last month. She made a list of 50 things that were annoying her and 50 things that made her happy, and spent a month working off those lists. I've been working on my own version and have come up with about 30 items on each. Dr. Sarah has recommended spending the month working on the second list... So here's what I've done in the last week or so...
Apple picking
Spend time in the garden
Pick raspberries
Admire barns
Monday, October 04, 2010
The Sanity Project
On my list of things to do this month: Stay Sane. Do some things that make you happy in the midst of the daily grind. So here goes...
I am doing a book club with a few friends. Yay! Motivation to actually read! We are starting with Brideshead Revisited- a book I've been meaning to read for years but have never quite gotten around to. So that's Sanity Project, assignment 1. And I got the book from the library today. Onward!
I am also reading 48 Days to the Work You Love, by Dan Miller. It's basically a 48 day project to help you figure out who you are and what your calling is so as to find the right work. As you may imagine, it's right up my alley right now and gives me some hope in what seems like an otherwise bleak situation. Sanity assignment 2. And I got the book. And read Ch. 1 yesterday. Onward!
Last but not least, I need to find a cookbook to read and cook through. I need some fresh inspiration and to just be committed to spending more time in the kitchen- Sanity assignment 3. Feel free to give me suggestions if you know of such a cookbook. Haven't quite gotten to the execution stage of this assignment yet, but I'm thinking about it.
I am doing a book club with a few friends. Yay! Motivation to actually read! We are starting with Brideshead Revisited- a book I've been meaning to read for years but have never quite gotten around to. So that's Sanity Project, assignment 1. And I got the book from the library today. Onward!
I am also reading 48 Days to the Work You Love, by Dan Miller. It's basically a 48 day project to help you figure out who you are and what your calling is so as to find the right work. As you may imagine, it's right up my alley right now and gives me some hope in what seems like an otherwise bleak situation. Sanity assignment 2. And I got the book. And read Ch. 1 yesterday. Onward!
Last but not least, I need to find a cookbook to read and cook through. I need some fresh inspiration and to just be committed to spending more time in the kitchen- Sanity assignment 3. Feel free to give me suggestions if you know of such a cookbook. Haven't quite gotten to the execution stage of this assignment yet, but I'm thinking about it.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Job
It has been a Job sort of season in my life. And handily enough, right now we are reading Job in the daily Mass readings-- so very fitting to what is going on in my life right now. I have been complaining to God and asking Him a lot of "why Lord?" And then I look at Job's life, at the amazing gifts he had received, and how devastating it was when it was all taken away, and I am inspired by his response in the midst of terrible devastation: "The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord." May I learn to respond like Job.
Today's reading is so filled with hope - so I thought I'd share:
Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Job answered the LORD and said:
I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand;
things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.
I had heard of you by word of mouth,
but now my eye has seen you.
Therefore I disown what I have said,
and repent in dust and ashes.
Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job
more than his earlier ones.
For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels,
a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.
And he had seven sons and three daughters,
of whom he called the first Jemimah,
the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch.
In all the land no other women were as beautiful
as the daughters of Job;
and their father gave them an inheritance
along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years;
and he saw his children, his grandchildren,
and even his great-grandchildren.
Then Job died, old and full of years.
Today's reading is so filled with hope - so I thought I'd share:
Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Job answered the LORD and said:
I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand;
things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.
I had heard of you by word of mouth,
but now my eye has seen you.
Therefore I disown what I have said,
and repent in dust and ashes.
Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job
more than his earlier ones.
For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels,
a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.
And he had seven sons and three daughters,
of whom he called the first Jemimah,
the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch.
In all the land no other women were as beautiful
as the daughters of Job;
and their father gave them an inheritance
along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years;
and he saw his children, his grandchildren,
and even his great-grandchildren.
Then Job died, old and full of years.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Mmmm (aka Ode to Fall)
I love sweaters. Especially a soft cable knit sweater. And blankets. And sweats, and cuddling up in sweats under a blanket on that one free night of the week. And slippers- gosh I've missed my cozy slippers. And jackets. And corduroys. Come to think of it, I love pretty much all fall clothes. And it's before the "bundle up to survive season" so I really love it. I love cool nights, snuggling under a warm comforter, listening to the wind outside. Mmmm.
I love apple picking, apple saucing, apple pie, apple cider, cider with rum, hot cider, cold cider. Mmmm apples. Cider. Donuts from the apple orchard / cider mill. And pumpkins. And pumkin pie. And whipped cream. and a hot cup of coffee with said pie and whipped cream... while wearing a cable knit and corduroy. Mmmmm. I love the sunshiny days, the fall colors, the leaves blowing across the street, fall flowers, the crisp breeze. I love walking down a country road, watching the colors change, the seasons change. The geese flying overhead, leaves crunching underfoot, the mutts tracking down every new smell and also loving fall. Mmmmm.
I love the yard work winding down (yes, I do love yard work, but it is nice to get a break for awhile). I love finishing up the garden, the overabundance of tomatoes and peppers coming in before the frost. Mmmmm.
Mmmmm, yes, I do love fall!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A word of advice
Here it is: Do not take 12 hour non-drowsy sudafed (or the off brand) at 6:30 pm. It turns out, not only does it not make you drowsy, it makes it IMPOSSIBLE for you to fall asleep- despite your cold and being exhausted- for a full 12 hours... on the dot, actually. Which is particularly brutal if you have 13 hours before you need to get up for work. 'nuff said.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Great Escape: Days 9 & 10
Day 9: We drove south and took the scenic mountain pass highway. Gorgeous. Have I mentioned how beautiful Washington state is? Well it is, especially the northern part. You should definitely go some day. We stopped for lunch with Kathleen and the kids on our way through, heading southeast toward Salt Lake City, Utah. It was nice to have another visit before leaving… but saying good bye really doesn’t get easier. Teary good byes, giving the munchkins one last hug and kiss through the tears. Oy. My traveling companions pretended not to notice and we climbed into Toby the CRV and headed south. We drove through Oregon, Idaho, and part of Utah, landing in Ogden Utah quite late for our one night at a hotel on this trip.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)